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  JMT Gear replica Gemini/Apollo flight jacket (Page 1)

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Author Topic:   JMT Gear replica Gemini/Apollo flight jacket
Robert Pearlman
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posted 08-16-2018 12:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
JMT Gear is in the final days of a Kickstarter campaign for a reproduction of the first pattern NASA-issued Gemini- and Apollo-era astronaut flight jackets.
Already in production is the very first model "Flite Wear" flight jacket worn by astronauts through the Gemini and Apollo Programs. Based loosely off the 1950s L-2B flight jacket, the original jackets were made in small batches in off the shelf sizes. Each batch is noticeably different in minor aspects: Fabrics, color, zippers, Pattern cut, and snap finishes.

There is roughly 5 variations of the "blue jackets" made during the early years of NASA with the earliest ones made by a small tailor shop in Kansas who originally supplied them in Olive Drab to local Boeing test pilots. The first pattern jackets have never before been reproduced by any company until now.

The campaign has already achieved its $5,000 goal, so the jackets will be produced. The jackets, available in sizes XS through 2XL, are priced at $175 each.

David C
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From: Lausanne
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posted 08-16-2018 04:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for David C     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Interesting, seems a pretty good compromise between price and authenticity.

I think the "Still The Right Stuff" versions are better (and yes, they did make a first batch version, but not for general sale). This is a lot easier on the wallet though.

328KF
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posted 08-16-2018 09:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 328KF   Click Here to Email 328KF     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I was happy to support this project, and look forward to what they will be offering in the future on their website. I do wish they could give some general guidlines for sizing, though. They may end up with alot of returns for this reason.

I agree with the aforementioned comparisons to the Still The Right Stuff product, but when I saw Al Worden at KSC a few months ago, I asked him about them being offered again. He said he wasn't sure, and repeated what was on the website previously...that they were still looking for another supplier.

At this price, it's tough to pass up the opportunity should they become hard to find once again.

Panther494
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posted 08-17-2018 03:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Panther494   Click Here to Email Panther494     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Regarding the sizing of these, a chart is included in the updates section of the Kickstarter site.

The price makes them tempting although the chest sizes seem very big for flight jackets that are apparently based on military patterns. As an example they state large has an armpit to armpit of 27."

328KF
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posted 08-17-2018 07:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for 328KF   Click Here to Email 328KF     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for that. If anyone else is looking for the size chart click on the Campaign link on the Kickstarter page and scroll to the bottom.

p51
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posted 08-17-2018 03:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for p51   Click Here to Email p51     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
$175 doesn't look like a bad price and it looks pretty good from what I see there.

I have one of the Still the Right Stuff ones so I don't need another light blue jacket, but would love to get one in the yellow color NASA also made. I'm still kicking myself for turning down a real one that fit me, several years ago...

David C
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From: Lausanne
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posted 08-18-2018 06:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David C     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Panther494:
...although the chest sizes seem very big for flight jackets that are apparently based on military patterns.
I wondered about that, I think I'll just go with size names. The chest measurements seem well out. Perhaps an error? Maybe not though, seems to be falling off the shoulders of their model.

Robert Pearlman
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posted 08-18-2018 07:55 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The Kickstarter page states:
These jackets are meant to be large in the chest, so the best unit of measure is sleeve length and jacket length.

David C
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From: Lausanne
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posted 08-18-2018 08:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David C     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
True, but the page also states:
We based our patterns and sizing off early 60's L2B flight jackets just like the originals.

...this jacket will generally fit the same as an L-2B jacket.

Their quoted chest measurements seem at odds with my early '60s L-2B at any rate.

Panther494
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From: London UK
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posted 08-18-2018 09:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Panther494   Click Here to Email Panther494     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just noticed an update stating that sleeve length is taken from the armpit. Surely that can't be right. Large size sleeve length quoted as 25".

David C
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From: Lausanne
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posted 08-18-2018 11:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David C     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sounds very wrong to me, hope I won't have to return mine - if that's even possible.

dsenechal
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posted 08-18-2018 12:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dsenechal   Click Here to Email dsenechal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'd really like to purchase one of these, but the sizing chart really has me wondering. I normally wear a Large (42" chest). However, according to their sizing chart, a large would be a barrel-like 54". Using the chart measurements, even a Small would be too big. The arms lengths are similarly out of proportion.

I sent an email to jayhawk, and am hopeful to get a reply soon.

328KF
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posted 08-18-2018 03:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 328KF   Click Here to Email 328KF     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
In an email to backers, the company offered this correction:
There is still a lot of confusion on sizing. We've discovered that that is absolutely our fault and we want to apologize. Our manufacturer is measuring differently than the military specs we've used.

SO, when measuring your sleeve length, stand with your arm extended straight out to your side like the image of the man below in just a T-shirt. Measure from the middle of the back of the neck, down the arm, to the wrist.

I apologize again. The biggest confusion has been on our part. Sleeve length IS the best thing to go off of and I hope this helps clear up any sizing issues.

dsenechal
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posted 10-15-2018 07:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dsenechal   Click Here to Email dsenechal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Has anyone received their jacket/s yet?

Panther494
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posted 10-16-2018 02:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Panther494   Click Here to Email Panther494     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Not yet. All gone very quiet.

Panther494
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posted 11-06-2018 07:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Panther494   Click Here to Email Panther494     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Has anyone seen or heard anything?

Robert Pearlman
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posted 11-06-2018 08:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
JMT Gear posted the following to Facebook earlier today:
...for the jackets and all of our wonderful customers, after all the delays and hiccups, we finally have a fairly solid delivery date scheduled for next week to our shop. As soon as they're in I will be posting another update. Once they are here, It will take several days to do our own personal QC checks and get everyone's orders bundled up and out to the post office. So we're not too far off from getting them out the door to you now.

As a show of appreciation to all backers and customers who have been so patient with us, we will be including a 50% off coupon code off any future orders. To anyone who wants a refund, I completely understand, please message us and I will get back with you as soon as possible and get that arranged.

Again I apologize for our for unprofessional lack of communication. We are trying everything in our power right now to correct it and regain your confidence in us.

In closing with this update, I'm attaching a photo from our contractor from just prior to boxing up the last of the jackets and being shipped to us. We promise they do exist, are on the way, and we're doing everything we can to get them to you as soon as possible.

dsenechal
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posted 11-22-2018 01:10 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for dsenechal   Click Here to Email dsenechal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I cannot even begin to describe how disgusted I am with JMT and their Kickstarter campaign. I "bought" one of these jackets, and got billed for two of them. Kickstarter blamed "the creator," and "the creator" blamed Kickstarter. Regardless of whether it was one or two jackets, I haven't received anything - either the jackets or a refund, or even the courtesy of a reply to my inquiries.

I tried contacting JMT repeatedly, with no response. So, it looks like I'm out around $400. This will be my last Kickstarter adventure. And to anyone who is contemplating purchasing one of these jackets, you should think long and hard before you give JMT your money.

David C
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From: Lausanne
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posted 11-22-2018 02:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for David C     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Since I'm waiting on one of these too (hopefully in the correct size), I rather hope that your disappointment proves to be premature.

Glad I already have the "Still The Right Stuff" version. Steven was a pleasure to deal with.

Greggy_D
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posted 11-22-2018 05:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Greggy_D   Click Here to Email Greggy_D     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by dsenechal:
I "bought" one of these jackets, and got billed for two of them.

Is it possible to start a chargeback with your card issuer? It also strikes me odd that KS is washing their hands of the issue, especially since it is their system which processes the payments/orders.

dsenechal
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posted 12-03-2018 06:29 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dsenechal   Click Here to Email dsenechal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I gave that a try. Sadly, Kickstarter has a loophole that protects them (and "the creator") very nicely by stating that, “Responsibility for finishing a project lies entirely with the project creator. Kickstarter doesn’t hold funds on creators’ behalf, cannot guarantee creators’ work, and does not offer refunds.”

Even better, it turns out that 9% of funded Kickstarter campaigns leave their backers high and dry. Kickstarter, by their own admission, is perfectly fine with 9% of their customers being ripped off, “We think that 9% is a reasonable failure rate..."

Greggy_D
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posted 12-13-2018 08:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Greggy_D   Click Here to Email Greggy_D     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
From a comment on the Kickstarter site:
If you can’t wait any further or don't like what we have to say and want a refund, please send us an Email with the title "Refund Request" to jayhawkmilitarytextiles@gmail.com.

We will begin to process these requests at the end of the month.

dsenechal
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posted 01-10-2019 03:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dsenechal   Click Here to Email dsenechal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
January 10th update: email to request a refund have gone unanswered, and refunds have not been received.

Greggy_D
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posted 05-24-2019 05:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Greggy_D   Click Here to Email Greggy_D     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Refunds are being offered. Their excuses and rationale around the lack of communication are rather pathetic.

dsenechal
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posted 05-26-2019 03:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dsenechal   Click Here to Email dsenechal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That is great news! Thank you very much for sharing. I paid for two of these and am hopeful that I will receive my refunds.

JohnSpaceUK
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posted 05-28-2019 09:02 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for JohnSpaceUK   Click Here to Email JohnSpaceUK     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Well, I just ordered one at $99 with $79 shipping to UK. Let's see how this goes.

p51
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posted 05-28-2019 10:26 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for p51   Click Here to Email p51     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
So odd that they're refunding to all these people and the website notes they're going out of business, yet they're also selling the jackets at the same time?

JohnSpaceUK
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posted 05-28-2019 10:53 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for JohnSpaceUK   Click Here to Email JohnSpaceUK     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes, struck me as odd too — cant help but feel like I'm "taking" someone's order. I'll post any progress here.

dsenechal
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posted 05-28-2019 06:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dsenechal   Click Here to Email dsenechal     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I followed all of the most recent instructions and haven't heard a breath of anything resembling a refund. Meantime, I would be hesitant to pay $99 for a jacket that someone else had already bought and paid for (at about double that price).

Chuckster01
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posted 05-28-2019 06:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Chuckster01   Click Here to Email Chuckster01     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would be hesitant to pay $99 for a jacket with a company that would not honor its previous commitment. It seems like a toxic site to me.

p51
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Registered: Sep 2011

posted 05-29-2019 12:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for p51   Click Here to Email p51     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I get your point, but from just a practicality standpoint, if the people who pre-ordered never got their items, then why would the same company sell the same items for a lesser price after-the-fact? It just doesn't make any sense whatsoever.

Chuckster01
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posted 05-29-2019 04:30 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Chuckster01   Click Here to Email Chuckster01     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
You are making the assumption that the $99 jackets will ever be delivered. Maybe they're just continuing the scam at 1/2 price.

Hart Sastrowardoyo
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posted 05-29-2019 06:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Hart Sastrowardoyo   Click Here to Email Hart Sastrowardoyo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
And to take orders without the intent of fulfilling them constitutes the 'f' word... and I see on their FB page someone has already contacted the AG's office.

JohnSpaceUK
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posted 05-29-2019 07:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for JohnSpaceUK   Click Here to Email JohnSpaceUK     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yeah, the Facebook page doesn't make good reading. From the fraud referral to the review of a delivered item. But, they do exist, as the photos show.

I don't understand why they can't fulfill the original orders. Apparently the sizing was messed up and they didn't want to ship and have to deal with returns. It kind of hangs together, but it remains to be seen if I ever receive anything.

p51
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posted 05-29-2019 01:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for p51   Click Here to Email p51     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This speaks to what others were saying earlier about the "Still the Right Stuff" custom made jackets, that there is a market for a less expensive version. I still don't get why Alpha or another jacket company doesn't come out with a good replica for around $100-150, as space gift shops would sell them left and right, I'd imagine. Wouldn't many (if not most) of you buy one of these if you saw one at the KSC visitor center gift shop? Of course most of you would!

I think the bottom line for getting one of this is simple: "Yeah, it stinks that the others didn't get theirs, but hey, I got mine, so that's all that matters."

If I knew for certain that if I ordered one that I would get it and that it would fit, I'd order one in a heartbeat. I have one of the "Still the Right Stuff" replicas, but I can't bring myself to put any patches on something that had a price tag that high (I got mine second hand, not nearly for the retail price) and that I'd never be able to get another.

quote:
Originally posted by Chuckster01:
You are making the assumption that the $99 jackets will ever be delivered. Maybe they're just continuing the scam at 1/2 price.
I agree, but any good credit card can get you out of something like this, unless you waited too long for their rules (which is why I've never been one for pre-ordering anything unless it's from a very good friend of mine, a list that isn't very long).

JohnSpaceUK
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posted 05-29-2019 02:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for JohnSpaceUK   Click Here to Email JohnSpaceUK     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I just got a shipment notification email and USPS tracking number, so it should be with me in a week or so.

I have ordered some leather name tags to go with it from a separate source, so hopefully I will be able to use this as intended over the summer Apollo 50 events in the UK. I'll update on quality when I get it.

Still seems odd that they cannot credit the original backers and sort out the sizing issue.

Greggy_D
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posted 05-29-2019 03:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Greggy_D   Click Here to Email Greggy_D     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The comments on Facebook regarding the jacket quality aren't very complimentary.

JohnSpaceUK
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From: UK
Registered: Jan 2016

posted 05-30-2019 05:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for JohnSpaceUK   Click Here to Email JohnSpaceUK     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Does anyone have any links to astronauts wearing these jackets? I'd like to look at patch placement. It's challenging to find a suitable Google search term. Cheers in advance.

Panther494
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posted 05-31-2019 04:03 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Panther494   Click Here to Email Panther494     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It appears that the first mission patch would be placed on the right shoulder, the second on the left. Although Gene Cernan placed his first patch above the nametag on the right chest.

I don't think they had strict guidelines on patch placement unlike the military. These earlier jackets had the nametag on the right chest, again unlike the military.

JohnSpaceUK
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Registered: Jan 2016

posted 05-31-2019 11:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for JohnSpaceUK   Click Here to Email JohnSpaceUK     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
That's great — thank you. Casually googling does not throw up many images of these in use! Plenty of marketing images from JMT, and one jacket ex Jim Lovell sold at auction.

Note: USPS still have not received the item.


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